That following Tuesday May 10, 2011, my sister Gaby, my dad, George and I were at the table talking enjoying our after dinner coffee. The call came in at 9:00pm.In less than 3 minutes, my brother in law Hector explained that David had fallen from a motorcycle and peacefully urged me to come down to Miami. I remember asking him, “Is David ok?” He stood quiet and after a short silence he answered, “you need to come quickly”. I knew then it was very, very serious. Immediately I told my husband we had to go and threw some things in a piece of luggage. I told my father I had to leave who then gave me his blessing and said to go in peace - that everything would be ok.Got in the van and as I started driving away, Gaby looked at me and asked if I prefer she drove us, to what I agreed. We picked up my youngest son Fernando from work and drove to what felt as the most eternal 4 longest hours of our lives. I sat in the back seat, remember hearing George and Fernando argue, Gaby trying to peace the tension in the car and I just prayed and prayed. I did not cry or talk. I did not want to think or feel. I did not want my mind to take off imagining things. I wanted to just stay still and continued praying for Our Lady’s intercession for David. I had to trust in the power of prayer. Not even 10 minutes later, I got a call from my eldest son, Eddy. The Trauma Unit doctor had to talk to me. I needed to make a decision over the phone. Either they would wait for me to arrive at Jackson Memorial Hospital to sign paperwork or I would authorize Eddy to be David’s proxy. Proxy? What did this mean? Eddy asked me to trust him. He mentioned that my uncles, Carlos and Rick, both doctors were with him. In my heart I knew Eddy would know what to do. He had been my rock in the past when, as a single parent, I dealt with teenagers at home. He had proven before that he could act objectively with purpose and meaning. “Yes”, I told the doctor, Eddy had total control over everything. It gave me a sense of peace knowing my mother and my sister Noemy and Hector were there, praying next to David. My cousin Michael was picking up my daughter Ana Carolina from work in Miami. Uncles, aunts, nephews, cousins and friends were at the Trauma Unit waiting room praying and waiting.Faith is a precious gift. Because we practice our faith, the spirit knows what to do in moments of crisis and intercedes for us in moments of weakness. (Romans 8:26; Eph 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; Psalm 107:28)

On Saturday, May 7, 2011, family and friends gathered at home to celebrate my graduation. I had accomplished one of my longest dreams --- to complete my bachelors’ degree. I graduated from the University of Central Florida. It was overwhelming to see so many people dear to my heart celebrating this special moment with me. My father and mother had not seen each other for over 10 years, my aunt Flor, (who never leaves Miami), was there too, brothers in law, family from Ohio, Michigan, Puerto Rico and Miami and dear friends all together cheering my achievement. Another of my life dreams had been to visit Europe. The first time the opportunity emerged was in 1973 when my sister Noemy decided to wait for the following year so that we could travel together to Europe as our parents “Quinceaneros” birthday gift but, she fell in love and I entered college and we never talked about the trip again. 15 years later, my father invited me to go to Spain in October 1998. In September, a hurricane hit the island of Puerto Rico and he fell, breaking his ankle, to what we had to cancel the trip. Now 13 years later, as a graduation gift, my 4 children had come together to send me to Spain for 2 weeks, leaving from Miami on Friday, May 13th. Sunday, May 8th we celebrated Mothers Day together. Everyone was happy. At one point during the lunch, David read the most beautiful letter celebrating my motherhood. The outpouring of love from and to one another was overpowering. I remember telling my mother that God’s presence was so evident amongst us. I also told her that this great joy and love I felt in my heart and soul was bigger than I had ever felt before, that it was not just for me. It was so overwhelmingly wonderful I couldn’t express the experience. She responded that she understood for she was feeling the same way. She also mentioned that David had invited her to go with him to visit Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. We celebrated, we laughed together, and ate all Saturday and Sunday. On Monday May 9th, everyone drove to Miami for a day or two before returning to their home state. I stayed home with my father who was now living permanently with me in Central Florida, which had also been my dream from the time he and my mother had separated 2 decades ago. God is an awesome God… he surrounded and filled us with the joy and strength that love can produce to give us the fortitude and hope we would need in the days ahead. ﻿(Romans 12:5; Phil: 2:1-2)﻿﻿

Authors

My son, David Arroyo and I, Ana Curras, collaborate together. This is our story. Our story because we are connected. We all are. When you hurt, I hurt, when you succeed, I succeed, when you have joy, I do too. It's in our design as human beings. Our story is intended to give hope, joy, encouragement and light. We pray to be inspired by our Creator, guided by Jesus Christ, moved by the Holy Spirit and accompanied by our Mother Mary.We believe.

﻿﻿﻿NOTE: Bible verses referred to in each post are linked to open to the verses for your convenience.